"Love, Compassion and Understanding"

The story did not start at Tickhill Hospital but at Doncaster Royal, where my very sick partner with Parkinson’s was admitted through A&E. She was suffering with hallucinations, delusions ,dehydration, and threatening renal failure and was promptly placed in Frailty Ward before being transferred to Kestrel Ward. In both wards she was subject to intensive nursing of her desperately life threatening condition which after four weeks was reversed sufficiently for her to be transferred to Hawthorne Ward at Tickhill Hospital. Whilst at DRI, my partner received superb attention which was no doubt responsible for pulling her through and earned our utmost appreciation,

Our arrival at Hawthorne was well planned and organised. We were introduced to various members of staff and Sister Kelly explained the functions and facilities of the unit. Although my partner's life was no longer under severe risk, she remained a very sick lady and from the start was treated with love, compassion and gentleness. Without exception the staff as one operated as a team and we felt absolutely secure in their professional care . Nothing was too much trouble and whenever we said Thank you, we were greeted with It’s a pleasure - which it clearly was.

My partner has now spent 10 weeks in hospital, 5 of which were spent on Hawthorne and, although she is now ready to go home, she will leave with a touch of sadness due to saying her farewell to all of staff who have become friends and who who have aided her recovery.

Thank you and may God Bless you all.